SA vs AUS, WTC Final 2025: What happens if the Test is washed out? Is there a reserve day?

Saurav Goyal

SA vs AUS, WTC Final 2025: What happens if the Test is washed out? Is there a reserve day? image

The World Test Championship Final 2025 is set to begin on June 11 as Australia takes on South Africa at the iconic Lord’s stadium, one of the most famous cricket venues in the world.

While South Africa will play their first WTC final, Australia are have been here before. They defeated India last time around, in the 2023 edition's final and now return to defend their title. 

But with England’s unpredictable summer, weather is always a concern, The Sporting News tells you what will happen if the final is interrupted or even completely washed out.

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Will there be joint winners if rain washes out the WTC final?

Yes. If the entire match gets washed out, or ends in a draw or tie, then both teams will be declared joint winners. The ICC has already confirmed this rule for the WTC Final.

Check: Will it rain during the WTC Final at the Lord's? Weather forecast for Day 1-5 listed 

Is there a reserve day for the WTC Final 2025?

There is a reserve day for the WTC Final 2025. June 16 has been officially set as a reserve day for this one-off Test.

It’s not something that happens in regular Test matches, but the WTC final is treated differently. This extra day is in place to make up for any lost time due to bad weather during the main five-day period.

MORE: WTC Final 2025: What is Australia's record in Tests at the Lord's?

However, it’s not a sixth day just for the sake of playing more cricket. The match will only go into the reserve day if time is lost earlier and cannot be recovered.

So, if weather interrupts play on any of the first five days, match officials will monitor the lost overs and decide if that time needs to be added to the sixth day.

Saurav Goyal

Saurav Goyal is a Content Producer at the Sporting News with over two years of experience in covering cricket. An avid cricket fan for more than two decades, his passion for the game led him to writing. Since then, he’s been delivering the latest news and engaging content to keep cricket fans informed and entertained.